A Newcomers' Guide to Antigonish - Antigonish Immigrant Support Program A Program of the Antigonish Women's - Antigonish Women's Resource Centre
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
A Newcomers’
Guide to Antigonish
Antigonish Immigrant Support Program
A Program of the Antigonish Women’s
Resource Centre
Funded by the Nova Scotia Office of
Immigration
3nd Edition: March 2021.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Pravin Raut from Mumbai, India, for
helping us translate this resource booklet in Hindi language.
Thank you Pravin!
Our special thanks to Julissa Stewart for her hard work in
compiling, editing, and formatting this guide for the first
edition.
Our sincere thanks to the Coady International Institute who
shared the materials from their welcome guide for students,
upon which this booklet is based.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Laurie Smith,
Primary Health Care Coordinator, Nova Scotia Health
Authority, for helping us update the information on the health
care system in Antigonish.
Our special thanks to Vangie Babin, Women’s Service
Coordinator, Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre for her
guidance in publishing the revised edition.
Najlaa Alzaanin
Immigrant Support Program coordinator
Antigonish Women’s Resource Center, Sexual Assault & Service Association.
2
Table of Contents
Emergency Assistance .............................................. 4
Living in Canada: Checklist ..................................... 5
Apply for a Permanent Resident of Canada ............. 6
Services for Newcomers .......................................... 8
Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) ........... 9
Health Insurance ..................................................... 10
Canadian Medical System ...................................... 11
Local Health Services ............................................. 13
Doctors and Walk-in Clinics .................................. 16
Drugstores and Pharmacies .................................... 18
Other Health and Community Services .................. 19
Employment ........................................................... 21
Financial Services................................................... 22
Language & Literacy Support ................................ 23
Recreation............................................................... 24
Housing .................................................................. 25
Resources for Families with Children .................... 26
Postal Services ........................................................ 29
Bibiography ............................................................ 30
Map of Antigonish.................................................. 32
3
Emergency Assistance
For serious emergencies: call 911
Poison Control: 1-800-565-8161
NS Telecare: 811 Health Information
and Advice 24 hours/day.
Environmental Emergencies: 1-800-
565-1633
To inquire about community or other
social services: 211
St. Martha’s Regional Hospital:
902-867-4500
If you have a medical emergency, go
directly to the Emergency Department at St.
Martha's Regional Hospital or call an
ambulance (911).
4
Living in Canada: Checklist
In your first few weeks
You may need to:
Exchange your money for Canadian
currency
Find accommodation
Apply for health insurance
Fill out forms for a Social Insurance
Number
Register your children in school
In your first few months
You will likely need to:
Get a family doctor;
Have your children immunized;
Open a bank account;
Look for a job;
Get a valid driver’s license
Apply for Canada Child Tax Benefit
(call 1-800-387-1193); and
Apply for GST/HST Credit; call
1-800-959-1953
5
How to Apply to Become a Permanent
Resident of Canada
A permanent resident is someone who has
been given permanent resident status by
immigrating to Canada, but is not (yet) a
Canadian citizen. Permanent residents are
citizens of other countries.
Permanent Resident Card
The permanent resident (PR) card is the
official proof that you are a permanent
resident of Canada. You use this card when
you travel and return from another country.
What Permanent Residents Can Do
As a permanent resident, you have the right
to:
get most social benefits that Canadian
citizens receive, including health care
coverage
live, work or study anywhere in
Canada,
apply for Canadian citizenship,
6
protection under Canadian law and
the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms.
You must pay taxes and respect all Canadian
laws at the federal, provincial and municipal
levels.
To Apply for a PR Card and learn more
about the requirements and eligibility of
become a permanent resident, please visit
this link:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/ap
plications/prcard.asp
7Services for Newcomers page of
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
www.servicefornewcomers.cic.gc.ca
Antigonish/Guysbrough Immigrant
Support Program
The AISP can:
• answer questions
• get you connected in the community
• help you navigate local services
We provide information and settlement
support to newcomers and their families in
Antigonish and Guysborough counties. Call
us at 902-870-1853 to set up an appointment
or drop by our office on the second floor of
the Kirk Building, 219 Main Street.
Pictou Antigonish Regional Library:
Newcomer Welcome Centre
We are working towards providing in-person
information and help in each of our public
libraries as one-stop Welcome Centers.
http://parl.ns.ca/newcomers/index.php
8How to Apply for a Social Insurance
Number (SIN)
Social insurance numbers (SINs) are needed
to work in Canada, open a bank account or
to obtain your tax credit. Your employer will
ask you for this number. More information
on documents needed to apply for a SIN
found here: www.servicecanada.gc.ca
You will be issued a paper document with
your SIN.
This website also provides job bank access,
employment insurance information and
filing, as well as counseling and program
support for individuals and communities.
Telephone: 902-863-7069
Toll-free: 1-800-537-9573
In Antigonish, the Service Canada is located
on the second floor at 325 Main Street.
9Health Insurance
You will need an MSI card to access most
health care services without being charged.
Maritime Medical Insurance (MSI)
Handles free of charge any inquiries
dealing with MSI and/or Pharmacare
services. Deals with first-time
applicants, landed immigrants and
people on work visas.
Telephone (Toll-free): 1-800-563-
8880
Email:
msienquiry@medavie.bluecross.ca
Website: www.gov.ns.ca
10Canadian Medical System
Some useful hints about the Canadian
medical system:
Be on time for your appointment. If
you decide not to keep the
appointment, ensure the doctor's
office is informed as early as possible
so they can give the appointment to
another patient.
Be prepared to wait at the doctor's
office. Although you may arrive on
time, it is not unusual to have to wait
to see the doctor. Emergency
department visits typically take many
hours.
The doctor may not always give you
medication. In Canada, a doctor does
not always prescribe medicines; s/he
may give you advice only. Canadian
doctors seldom treat with injections.
Ask the doctor questions. If you do
not understand what the doctor is
saying, or instructions are not clear,
ask for clarification. You have a right
to know about your health and to
understand the diagnosis and
11treatment. If you do not ask a
question, the doctor may assume that
you understand everything clearly.
If medication is recommended, ask if
it is a prescription or "over-the-
counter" medication. Over-the-
counter medications are displayed on
shelves in the pharmacy and can be
bought without a prescription. You
are responsible for paying for over-
the-counter medications. It is
recommended that you ask the
pharmacist for directions and
precautions about all medication you
are buying (over-the-counter and
prescription).
Prescription medicines can be very
expensive. Please note that
medications you may be able to
purchase without seeing a doctor in
your own country may be classified as
"prescription" medications in Canada.
Prescription medicines can be
expensive and you might want to
verify what is covered by your health
plan.
12Local Health Services
St. Martha’s Regional Hospital
St. Martha's Regional Hospital
providing a range of primary and
secondary health services
Telephone: 902-867-4500
Website: www.nshealth.ca
Nova Scotia Health Authority
Website: www.nshealth.ca
13Mental Health & Addictions Services
Provides psychiatric and social work
services for adults and children on-
site or outreach.
Intake Line: 1-888-291-3535 (Have
your health card on hand)
Need Help Now?
Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-888-429-8167
Available 24 hours, seven days a week
Public Health Services
Responsible for a variety of health
services including health promotion
and education, illness and injury
prevention activities, inoculations,
communicable disease control, active
living, nutrition, dental health, and
community social supports.
Telephone: 902-867-4500 ext. 4800
14Lindsay’s Health Centre for Women
Services are provided by a multi-
disciplinary team that includes Mental
Health & Addiction Services, a Nurse
Practitioner, Women’s Centre
Services, and a physician. Open to all
women and adolescent girls.
Telephone: 902-318-9984
Email:antig.women@ns.sympatico.ca
Men’s Health Centre is open to all
men and boys 12 years and older.
Services are provided by a team of
health professionals including: a
physician, Mental Health & Addiction
Services and Family Services of
Eastern NS.
Telephone: 902-863-2358
http://ensfamilyservice.ca/programs/
mens-health-centre/
15Doctors and Walk-in Clinics
For an appointment with your family doctor:
Doctors usually schedule appointments
between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday to
Friday. You can book an appointment by
calling your doctor’s clinic during the day.
It may not always be possible to obtain an
appointment the same day you ask- you may
have to wait a period of time.
To see a doctor in the evening:
Antigonish After- Hours Clinic:
Monday- Friday 6:00-9:00pm
40 Church Street
Telephone: 902-735-4000
Instructions: Call the above number
beginning at 5pm to book an
appointment. They do not answer the
phone before 5pm.
Atlantic Super Store Walk-in Clinic:
Telephone: 902-338-3000
16To see a doctor in the evening and on
Saturday:
Walk-in Medical Clinic:
Monday 6:00pm- 9:00pm & Saturday
1:00pm- 5:00pm
Atlantic Superstore, 2nd floor
Telephone: 902-338-3000
Instructions: You can book an
appointment beginning one hour
before the clinic opens or you can
walk in and wait for an appointment.
*Please note: appointments at the clinics are
very quick and doctors will only address
ONE problem at an appointment.
For Emergencies:
If you have a medical emergency go directly
to the Emergency Department at St. Martha's
Regional Hospital or Call 911.
Nurses Helpline call 811
17Drugstores and Pharmacies
There are various places you can go in town
if you need to purchase medication, toiletries,
or other items.
Mackinnon’s Pharmasave
243 Main St.
Lawton’s Drugs
Antigonish Mall
Shoppers Drug Mart (open until 10PM)
303 Main St.
Drugstore Pharmacy (in Superstore)
26 Market St.
Wal-Mart Pharmacy
50 Market St.
Haliburton PharmaChoice
220 Main St.
18Other Health and Community Services
Antigonish Women’s Resource
Centre is there to support women of
all ages with education, counselling,
self-esteem and many other programs.
It is located in Kirk Place Building,
Room 204, 219 Main St.
Telephone: 902-863-6221
Website: http://awrcsasa.ca/
Men’s Health Centre is open to all
men and boys 12 years and older.
Services are provided by a team of
health professionals.
Telephone: 902-863-2358
http://ensfamilyservice.ca/programs/m
ens-health-centre/
Antigonish Community Grief
Support programm is offered to those
who have lost a loved one. Call to see
if they have a program open.
Telephone: 902-863-1375.
All services are free.
19 Kids Help Phone is a free 24-hour a
day service for children experiencing
abuse or emotional distress.
Counseling and referrals are provided.
Telephone: 1-800-668-6868
Website: www.kidshelpphone.ca
20Employment
Nova Scotia Works: Career
Connections
provides free educational
opportunities and services help you
find employment or start a business.
50 James St.
Telephone: 902-863-8244
E-mail: robenastewart@theacrc.ca.
Service Canada provides access to an
online job bank; employment
insurance information, as well as
information about SIN numbers.
Located at 325 Main St.
Telephone: 902-863-7069 or 1-800-
537-9573
Website: www.servicecanada.gc.ca
21Financial Services
Banks: The Bergengren Credit
Union, Scotia Bank, Royal Bank of
Canada, and CIBC are all located on
Main Street. All four banks are full-
service financial institutions where
you can open accounts, exchange
currency, buy traveller's cheques, etc.
Funds for foreign cheques, other than
US $ or British £ bank drafts, are
generally not payable immediately.
The time required to clear foreign
cheques is usually 4-6 weeks.
Wire transfers can also be made at the
Western Union agency located at
Walmart. Charges for wire transfers
differ depending on the amount of
money being transferred and
destinations. Inquiries can be made
in-person, or visit
www.westernunion.ca.
22Language & Literacy Support
EAL and Literacy
Antigonish County Adult Learning
Association (ACALA):
ACALA offers English as a Second
Language (EAL) classes and one-on-
one tutoring services free of charge
for anyone interested in improving
their English speaking, listening,
reading and writing skills.
ACALA partners with the Teaching
Immigrants English (TIE) Program to
deliver beginner, intermediate and
advanced classes to new immigrants
and permanent residents.
o Telephone: 902-863-3060
o Website:
http://www.acalalearn.ca
o General email: acala@srsb.ca
The Antigonish Town and County Library
has books and other resources available for
loan.
Address: 283 Main Street
Telephone: 902-863-4276
http://www.parl.ns.ca
23Recreation
The Town of Antigonish Recreation
Department is dedicated to providing sport,
recreation and leisure activities for the
citizens of Antigonish.
Director of Recreation: Tricia Cameron
email: tcameron@townofantigonish.ca
902-867-5595
The Antigonish County Recreation
Department creates opportunities and
resources for the community to pursue
physical activity, sport and recreation.
http://www.antigonishcounty.ns.ca/category/
recreation/
Phone: (902) 863-1141 – Main Office
Phone: (902) 863-0316 – Recreation
Programmer’s Office
recreation@antigonishcounty.ns.c
The Antigonish Town and County Library
offers free programs for children and adults.
Address: 283 Main Street, 902-863-4276
http://www.parl.ns.ca
24Housing
Eastern Mainland Housing Authority:
Administers existing public housing. This
includes housing for seniors and families
needing housing support. Rent is geared to
income.
Location:
20 Ochard Terrace
Antigonish, NS
B2G 1W5
Telephone: 902-863-1259
Some websites that may be useful in finding
temporary rental housing:
Rent Gorilla:
https://rentgorilla.ca/list/antigonish-
ns?page=1
Kijiji Nova Scotia (search “real estate” +
“Antigonish”)
http://www.kijiji.ca/b-real-estate/nova-
scotia/antigonish/k0c34l9002
25Resources for Families with Children
Kids’ First Family Resource Centre:
Kids First builds confidence, stability and
hope in families with children 0 to 6. Some
programs include: Moms (parents) & Tots;
Learning library; School readiness; Back to
school and Canadian pre-natal/post-natal
nutrition program.
Telephone: 902-863-3848
Email: antigonish@kids1st.ca
Website: http://www.kids1st.ca
Strait Regional School Board:
Administers public schools in the area,
including Antigonish, Guysborough and all
of Cape Breton. English and French
Immersion classes are available. To enroll
your child in public schooling, please
contact.
Telephone: 902-625-2191
Toll-free: 1-800-650-4448
Website: www.strait.ednet.ns.ca
26Transportation
Taxis
R-Mac Taxi Service: 902-867-0077
Mac's Taxi (24-hour service): 902-
863-8000
Student Taxi: 902-863-2122
M&M Taxi: 902-863-6666
Odgies Taxi: 902-863-3030
Zinck’s Taxi: 902-863-4944
Taxi costs are approximately $5-6/trip in-
town and $7/trip to Superstore (doctor's
office).
Maritime Bus
For bus travel outside of Antigonish,
the Maritime Bus is a frequently used
option. The bus terminal is located at
Bloomfield Centre on the StFX
Campus. You can check the travel
schedules online.
Telephone: 902-863-6901
Website: www.maritimebus.com.
27Transportation
Antigonish Community Transit
The Antigonish Community Transit
bus has a regular service around town
and into the county. Bus stops are
located around town.
Schedules are available online at
www.antigonishcommunitytransit.ca
or by telephone at 902-867-0411.
28Postal Services
There are two post offices in Antigonish,
both offering the same services, such as
purchasing stamps, and posting letters and
packages.
Hours of operation:
9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
For detailed information, visit:
http://www.canadapost.ca
Antigonish Locations:
A central post office located at 133
Church St. at the Antigonish Mall
A Canada Post outlet located in
Shoppers Drug Mart on Main St.
Outgoing mail:
Stamp prices differ depending on the
location you are mailing your letter.
Heavier letters must be weighed at the
post office to determine the cost. Seal
all letters well and do not over-stuff.
Be sure to put a return address,
including your name, on any mail you
send.
29Bibiography
Antigonish Town and County Community
Health Board. (2012-2013).
Application for a Permanent Resident Card
(PR Card). (2016). Retrieved from
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/ap
plications/prcard.asp
Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
(2007). Welcome to Canada: What you
should know. Minister of Public Works and
Government Services Canada, 2010 Edition.
Coady International Institute: Newcomers
Guide to Antigonish
Immigrant services in your area. (2016).
Retrieved from
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/ma
p/services.asp
30Kids First,Pictou, Antigonish and
Guysborough Counties. (n.d.). Retrieved
from http://kids1st.ca/
Service Canada. (n.d.). Retrieved
fromhttp://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ho
me.shtml
31Map of Antigonish
32You can also read
